New bill would make walleye Ohio's state fish

SANDUSKY — He's trying again, but can he reel in a new state law this time? State Rep. D.J. Swearingen, R-Huron, introduced a bill last year to make the walleye the state fish. It passed the Ohio House 94-4 in June 2024, but it didn't pass the Ohio Senate. Swearingen is trying again. A few days ago, he and state Rep. Sean Brennan, D-Parma, introduced House Bill 312, which would make the walleye the official Ohio state fish. The new measure hasn't been assigned to a House committee yet. State Rep. Kellie Deeter, R-Norwalk, has signed on as a co-sponsor. The bill, mercifully brief in comparison to many Ohio General Assembly measures, references the state law that's being changed and simply says, "The fish, sander vitreus, commonly known as the 'walleye,' is the official fish of the state." "Usually I don't get involved in these types of bills, but I made an exception this time," Swearingen said. Swearingen said Brennan had approached him about the bill. "It made sense because of how unique the walleye is to Ohio and the number of people who come to Lake Erie to fish for it. We can't let this one off the hook this time around," Swearingen said. Brennan was born in Sandusky and graduated from St. Mary's Central Catholic High School. Swearingen thinks he can get the measure passed this time. "I like my chances this year, he said. "I think we just ran out of time last year." Swearingen said his fish bill is a fun venture that won't take up a lot of attention. "We have a lot of other important bills to get done, too, that people are expecting, like substantive property tax reform," he said. "Those rightfully take up most of our time. These bills that highlight unique areas of our region are still fun to be a part of." Deeter texted a statement of support that included a fish emoji. "I signed onto the bill because like many Ohioans, walleye fishing was a right of passage for me and for anyone who has learned to fish on Lake Erie or the Maumee River," she said. "It's a deeply rooted tradition in the state's outdoors and recreational culture, and brings tens of millions of dollars annually through tourism. Lake Erie is often referred to as the walleye capital of the world, making it the perfect species to be the state fish." Brennan said honoring the walleye recognizes its importance to the state economy. "The idea spawned when Matthew Kowaleski — a resident in my district — contacted me to let me know that Ohio does not have a state fish and that the walleye should be it," Brennan said. "I asked him to give me some time walleye think it over. "All kidding aside, the walleye is responsible for about $1 billion in economic activity in our state, is the fish that nets the most charter boats in Ohio, and the Ohio Walleye Trail is the draw of about half of the 1 million anglers in our state. So considering any other fish is a red herring." If the walleye wins state recognition this time, it can swim proudly alongside other official state creatures. Ohio has an official bird, the cardinal; state insect, the ladybug; state fruit, the pawpaw; a state frog, the bullfrog; and even a state amphibian, the spotted salamander. Ohio has an official state fossil fish, Dunkleosteus terrelli, but lacks an existing state fish. Port Clinton calls itself the Walleye Capital of the World and plays that up in events in the city, such as the annual New Year's Eve party, where the Walleye Drop rings in the new year. Wylie, a fiberglass fish that's 20 feet long and weighs 600 pounds, also makes other appearances around town during the year.